+353 91 55 22 90

Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism is always a moment of great joy for a family as a new arrival into their life is welcomed into the life of the spiritual family of God. Baptism marks the beginning of a commitment to a life of faith lived out and supported by family, friends and the wider Christian community. It makes the person who is baptised an adopted son or daughter of God the Father and, with Jesus Christ as a brother, a co-heir to the Kingdom of Heaven. As the child grows in understating and comes to greater appreciation of the content of their Christian faith they will be supported in their faith by the celebration of other sacraments of the Church such as Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. These Sacraments build on the foundation laid at Baptism and on the faith formation given by parents and extended family and the parish community. As the child grows into adulthood so too their full participation in the life of the Christian community in their local parish is encouraged and fostered. The Grace received at baptism is with us all through life. It is our joy and duty to reflect upon its significance and respond to it with willing hearts. This is the greatest use of our free will.

The Role of Parents

Parents are the primary carers and educators of their own children. They know their own children best and are best placed to provide for their needs. Similarly, children look first to their own parents as they seek role models to copy. This is especially true when it comes to faith practice and participation. When parents ask to have their child baptised they are committing themselves to being models of faith to inspire their child. But they do not do this alone. Grandparents, Godparents, relations and the entire Christian community, made visible in the parish community, all play a part in witnessing to the Christian faith by what they say and do. In addition to being a model of faith for your child, during the Baptism ceremony parents are formally asked if they are willing to teach the faith to their own child so that they can grow in their understanding of it. This is a serious undertaking and brings with it the responsibility to participate in the life of the church in the local parish. For some parents having their child baptised can be a moment of reintroduction to the faith for themselves. As you desire the best for your child, it's only natural that you would wish to be able to realise that desire and provide the best of all aspects of yourself, including your own faith. Don't worry if you feel a bit rusty about your own faith: God helps all who seek Him to return and find! The parish priest is always willing to support and assist you in this regard.

The Role of Godparents

Being a Godparent is a great honour for any person and is a position of trust offered by the parents of the child. The primary function of a Godparent is to assist the parents in the faith formation of the child. This is done by supporting parents as they educate the child in the ways of faith and by offering good example to the child. It's a nurturing and caring role which underpins the good work done by parents. As with parents, Godparents likewise take on a formal role and responsibility during the ceremony of baptism. Since part of their responsibility is to teach the faith by word and example Godparents should be familiar with the Christian faith themselves and be both baptised and confirmed. A person who is not a Christian or who has made a conscious decision not practice the Catholic faith may act as a witness to your child's baptism, but would not fulfill the important requirements of the role of Godparent. Godparents are also role models given to the child; as such Godparents need to be male and female and not both of the same sex. At least one Godparent is required at Baptism. If that person cant be present, another person can stand in as a proxy for the godparent. Remember that being a Godparent is not firstly a great honour for your chosen family member or friend, but a great need of your child. Pray for guidance in choosing the best man and woman for them.

What to do now?

Please contact the parish priest, firstly by email (see contact link on top of page) and then by phone if you would like, to arrange a suitable Sunday (the first or third of the month at 12:30). The email serves as part of the administration to help keep track of the organisation of the sacraments. Having a baptism during Sunday mass is also most welcome, as it allows the wider community of faith to join in the welcome of a new member of our faith family. You will find a Baptism Request Form link below which you are asked to complete and return to the parish office at least 2-3 weeks in advance of your child's baptism. Additionally, the parish priest will try to be available to meet with you, the parents, on the Saturday evening before the baptism at 5pm, in the parish offices. You must confirm that you can make it by Friday midday. This is not obligatory, but recommended for your special occasion.Additionally, the parish priest will try to be available to meet with you, the parents, on the Saturday evening before the baptism at 5pm, in the parish offices. You must confirm that you can make it by Friday midday. This is not obligatory, but recommended for your special occasion.

parish office - Thank You.

Looking for a Baptism cert re-issue from Oughterard, go to the bottom of this page here HERE

+353 91 55 22 90

Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism is always a moment of great joy for a family as a new arrival into their life is welcomed into the life of the spiritual family of God. Baptism marks the beginning of a commitment to a life of faith lived out and supported by family, friends and the wider Christian community. It makes the person who is baptised an adopted son or daughter of God the Father and, with Jesus Christ as a brother, a co-heir to the Kingdom of Heaven. As the child grows in understating and comes to greater appreciation of the content of their Christian faith they will be supported in their faith by the celebration of other sacraments of the Church such as Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. These Sacraments build on the foundation laid at Baptism and on the faith formation given by parents and extended family and the parish community. As the child grows into adulthood so too their full participation in the life of the Christian community in their local parish is encouraged and fostered. The Grace received at baptism is with us all through life. It is our joy and duty to reflect upon its significance and respond to it with willing hearts. This is the greatest use of our free will.

The Role of Parents

Parents are the primary carers and educators of their own children. They know their own children best and are best placed to provide for their needs. Similarly, children look first to their own parents as they seek role models to copy. This is especially true when it comes to faith practice and participation. When parents ask to have their child baptised they are committing themselves to being models of faith to inspire their child. But they do not do this alone. Grandparents, Godparents, relations and the entire Christian community, made visible in the parish community, all play a part in witnessing to the Christian faith by what they say and do. In addition to being a model of faith for your child, during the Baptism ceremony parents are formally asked if they are willing to teach the faith to their own child so that they can grow in their understanding of it. This is a serious undertaking and brings with it the responsibility to participate in the life of the church in the local parish. For some parents having their child baptised can be a moment of reintroduction to the faith for themselves. As you desire the best for your child, it's only natural that you would wish to be able to realise that desire and provide the best of all aspects of yourself, including your own faith. Don't worry if you feel a bit rusty about your own faith: God helps all who seek Him to return and find! The parish priest is always willing to support and assist you in this regard.

The Role of Godparents

Being a Godparent is a great honour for any person and is a position of trust offered by the parents of the child. The primary function of a Godparent is to assist the parents in the faith formation of the child. This is done by supporting parents as they educate the child in the ways of faith and by offering good example to the child. It's a nurturing and caring role which underpins the good work done by parents. As with parents, Godparents likewise take on a formal role and responsibility during the ceremony of baptism. Since part of their responsibility is to teach the faith by word and example Godparents should be familiar with the Christian faith themselves and be both baptised and confirmed. A person who is not a Christian or who has made a conscious decision not practice the Catholic faith may act as a witness to your child's baptism, but would not fulfill the important requirements of the role of Godparent. Godparents are also role models given to the child; as such Godparents need to be male and female and not both of the same sex. At least one Godparent is required at Baptism. If that person cant be present, another person can stand in as a proxy for the godparent. Remember that being a Godparent is not firstly a great honour for your chosen family member or friend, but a great need of your child. Pray for guidance in choosing the best man and woman for them.

What to do now?

Please contact the parish priest, firstly by email (see contact link on top of page) and then by phone if you would like, to arrange a suitable Sunday (the first or third of the month at 12:30). The email serves as part of the administration to help keep track of the organisation of the sacraments. Having a baptism during Sunday mass is also most welcome, as it allows the wider community of faith to join in the welcome of a new member of our faith family. You will find a Baptism Request Form link below which you are asked to complete and return to the parish office at least 2-3 weeks in advance of your child's baptism. Additionally, the parish priest will try to be available to meet with you, the parents, on the Saturday evening before the baptism at 5pm, in the parish offices. You must confirm that you can make it by Friday midday. This is not obligatory, but recommended for your special occasion.Additionally, the parish priest will try to be available to meet with you, the parents, on the Saturday evening before the baptism at 5pm, in the parish offices. You must confirm that you can make it by Friday midday. This is not obligatory, but recommended for your special occasion.

Please read the following explanation of the sacrament of Baptism; if you have understood then please download the Baptism request form at the bottom of this page and deliver/email it to the parish office - Thank You.Looking for a Baptism cert re-issue from Oughterard, go to the bottom of this page here HERE